Baby Blues or Postpartum depression. World Suicide clock is just ticking !!

Baby Blues or Postpartum depression. World Suicide clock is just ticking !!:

A new baby at home is an very big adjustment. For sure, various positive emotions are involved when a baby is at home, but with certain positive emotions a lot of negative emotions are also involved such as anxiety, sadness, tears, and majorly STRESS. Mothers generally feel worried, exhausted and sometimes crying because either they are unable to sleep (sleep deprivation) or they are consistently increasing weight. The transition to motherhood,and adjusting into new routine is very overwhelming for all the new mothers. But, these feelings are very normal and ends within few weeks. This range of emotions are often called as “BABY BLUES”. This is the mildest and most common type of maternal depression that ends without any treatment.

Now, when we are talking about Postpartum depression, It is the most common mental health issue that affects women after giving birth to baby. Postpartum depression is often confused with having baby blues. Therefore it is very important to understand that if the symptoms continue after the first two weeks of baby being born we can diagnose it as postpartum depression which is longer than the baby blues symptoms.

So, if you are feeling stressed and you are not sure of if you are experiencing "baby blues" or "postpartum depression". You might just need to check the list below for some indicators!!

Sleep Problems

It is very natural that a newborn disturbs every new mothers sleep. But, postpartum depression can cause larger sleep problems. Either the mom is unable to sleep or the mother sleep way too much. Poor sleep can contribute to depression and on the same side depression can interfere with sleep patterns —its a VISIOUS cycle.

Changes in Appetite

A good and proper nutrition is needed when you are breastfeeding the young one and it is very natural that while nursing your baby you tend to feel hungry than usual. But, the most common symptom in depression is either eating too less or too much. Also, if the food pattern changes dramatically and feel sad or overwhelmed, you need to show your doctor immediately.

Mood swings

Mood swings are very natural and is part of life. At one time you might feel really happy and crying the next minute. But if these emotions have too many highs and lows and continue more than 2 weeks and start to get worse. It is definitely the sign of postpartum depression.

Anxiety

The most common word used by us. Mothers feel restless, worried, have apprehensions about the newborn, they are tired and stressed. But, if the women constantly feel overwhelmed about baby’s health and responsibility of caring new born or if nerves interferes with your ability to carry out your daily task, it is surely the sign of postpartum depression

These symptoms are often labeled as "being normal" for mothers taking care of new ones especially when they are the first time mothers but the most serious form of postpartum depression is postpartum psychosis

Mothers who are diagnosed with postpartum psychosis have a 5% rate of suicide and 4% rate of infanticide. Therefore, The best way to combat this problem is by educating the mothers on postpartum depression prior to giving birth. The inability to identify the postpartum depression symptoms and lack of treatment can cause significant problems such as marital tensions, vulnerability to other psychiatric illness and in some cases suicide.

Help is available, and there is no reason to suffer!!!

#Healthpsychologist

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